CN114101084A

CN114101084A - Sorting machine

Info

Publication number: CN114101084A
Application number: CN202111438042.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 西奥·杜佩勒; 马蒂亚斯·约阿希姆
Original assignee: Wipotec GmbH
Current assignee: Wipotec GmbH
Priority date: 2020-11-27
Filing date: 2021-11-29
Publication date: 2022-03-01
Also published as: US20220194716A1; JP7229325B2; US11691828B2; JP2022085879A; DE102020131570A1; EP4005953A1

Abstract

A sorting machine for sorting isolated products comprises a mechanism consisting of side-by-side sorting fingers which, depending on the rotational position, leave a sorting gap in the conveying path for defective products to be sorted or close the sorting gap to support the further conveyance of the defective products.

Description

Sorting machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sorting machine for sorting out singulated products from a product stream. Such sorting machines are used, for example, in the production of food products which are transported in isolation (discretely), i.e. as individual pieces, on a conveyor belt and some of which are sorted out of a product stream according to predetermined criteria. Thus, the product stream may for example comprise meat slices for hamburgers, cutlets or spareribs, perhaps also in a frozen and thus hard state. But other foodstuffs, tablet blisters or other, in particular flat products, which are conveyed separately are also conceivable.

Background

When all products on the conveyor belt are arranged one after the other in a lane in the conveying direction and their position transverse to the conveying direction and their lane width are fixed from the beginning and are identical for all products, it is then relatively simple to sort out individual products (subsequently also referred to as "rejects") from the conveying flow. The identified defective products can then be pushed laterally away from the conveyor belt by means of push rods, blowers or switches acting transversely to the conveying direction. The unsorted products (hereinafter also referred to as "good products") are not subjected to the action and are conveyed in the conveying direction.

However, as the conveying speed increases, the pusher or switch must be moved back and forth very quickly transversely to the conveying direction in order to act on the products to be sorted at the right moment. In this case, there must be a large inertial force acting on the push rod or the switch, whereas a large acceleration force acts on the product, which can lead to its damage or destruction.

However, the products (good and defective) are usually arranged randomly in different sizes one behind the other and side by side on the conveyor belt, so that they are at different distances from other adjacent products or even touch one another. Thus, push rods or switches are not suitable for sorting.

It is alternatively known to temporarily create a gap in the transport path between the two conveyor belts for selected products by means of a retracting belt or a folding belt, so that products reaching the gap pass through the gap and thus fall out of the product flow. The structural costs for moving the belt back and forth into the gap or out of the gap are considerable, however, since such a retraction belt consists of at least three conveyor belts arranged one behind the other, wherein an intermediate belt can be retracted, for example, below the first belt or the third belt to open a gap through which the products to be sorted can fall. The time period for active sorting and returning of the folded strip to the initial position is relatively long, and therefore determines the shortest distance in the conveying direction between defective products and good products still to be conveyed. In the case of high-speed transport of up to 50 m/min and correspondingly fast-moving retraction belts, the acceleration forces occurring in this case are too great. Furthermore, it is difficult to sort out products of mutually different sizes, since the working and rest position of the pusher or switch may depend on said sizes.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a method and a device with a short overall length which overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages in order to be able to pick out products of different sizes arranged randomly on a conveyor belt in a targeted manner even at high speeds. The device should be expandable in a modular manner and have the shortest possible construction in the transport direction, preferably even shorter than the product itself. This object is achieved by a sorting machine according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 12. Further advantageous embodiments emerge from the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the recognition that each product conveyed on a conveyor belt in the same conveying direction X defines, in a chaotic arrangement, its own track along which the product is to be conveyed. The track position and the track width in the transverse direction Y (orthogonal to the conveying direction X) are determined here by the transverse position of the products on the conveyor belt and their maximum width, which is also measured in the transverse direction. Thus, the tracks of a plurality of products can be located in many different transverse positions, have different widths and in particular overlap one another. From this knowledge, it is considered that defective products are sorted out (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "discharged") while taking their respective rails into consideration. (hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the expression "width" or "transverse width" always means the dimension in the transverse direction Y.)

According to the invention, this is done by means of a sorting mechanism comprising a large number of identical subdivided sorting fingers laterally alongside one another (preferably aligned), which are able to support or convey the products on a normal conveying path, but at the same time are also designed to form a sorting gap which is tailored ("matched") exactly to the products to be sorted (the designation "finger" shall here generally describe a long strip projecting freely from the axis of rotation). By "match" it is meant herein that the gap is large enough to discharge product through the gap, but not necessarily too large. For this purpose, the sorting fingers can be rotated about a common axis of rotation extending in the transverse direction Y between a sorting position and a transport position. The individual sorting fingers are arranged next to one another along the axis of rotation, preferably over the entire width of the input belt. The sorting fingers preferably have the same structure to simplify the construction of the sorting machine and the spare part stocking. The arrangement of sorting fingers can be easily changed in modular configuration as they are added to or removed from the sorting mechanism. In the case of a plurality of sorting fingers aligned on the same shaft, the individual sorting fingers can, for example, simply be pushed onto the shaft or pulled off the shaft.

The sorting gap is created by rotating a set of sorting fingers partially or completely located in the product track belonging to the reject. This is preferably carried out in good time before or just at the time when the reject reaches the sorting mechanism. The products to be sorted can then fall out of the product flow downwards through the sorting gap thus created. Good products adjacent in the transverse direction Y are then located laterally to the sorting gap and can be further supported or conveyed in the conveying direction X by means of the sorting fingers remaining in the conveying position. Good products arranged before and after the defective product to be sorted in the conveying direction can also be conveyed further if the time window for opening the sorting gap is synchronized as accurately as possible with the "defective product reaching the sorting gap".

The terms "good" and "defective" are to be understood here as meaning only products which differ with respect to at least one criterion (for example size, filling weight, contamination, visual appearance, etc.) such that the further transport route for good products should differ from the transport route for defective products. Thus, "defective" merely means that it is not desired to further convey such a product in the conveying direction X, and therefore to sort out the product from the product stream. Nevertheless, "defective" can also have the desired product characteristics and be designated for further processing or sale, whereas "good" is defective and cannot be further processed or discarded after further transport in the transport direction X. Thus, "good" and "defective" in the sense of the present application merely mean that these products are guided to different further conveying paths by means of the sorting machine.

By means of the sorting mechanism, the advantage according to the invention is obtained that rejects can be discharged quickly and at low construction costs from a product flow of products which are arranged disorderly on a conveyor belt and which may even have non-uniform geometries, irrespective of their lateral position and their width. Sorting machines known from the prior art are generally adapted to products having a defined geometric dimension, for example a square or rectangular basic shape, a maximum diameter or a diameter to be kept within tolerances, a constant side length, a defined product height, etc. The sorting machine of the invention allows to transport or sort the products, regardless of their geometrical dimensions or specific specifications, i.e. "random", since for each defective product the belonging respective track is determined on the basis of its own dimensions. The arrangement of the products (good and bad) when fed to the sorting machine can also be made random or chaotic, since its dimensions and its track are determined individually for each product.

To this end, the sorting machine according to the invention comprises an input belt on which the isolated products (good and defective) are conveyed in a conveying direction X. Each product defines its own track on which it is transported in the transport direction. The position of the track in relation to a transverse direction Y extending perpendicularly to the conveying direction X is predetermined by the corresponding transverse position of the associated product, as the width of the track is defined by the width of the product in question, for example, the reject to be sorted. The top side of the infeed belt defines a conveying plane E with a conveying direction X and a transverse direction Y. The height direction Z extends orthogonally to the transport direction X and the transverse direction Y.

The sorting machine further comprises a sorting mechanism consisting of at least three, preferably a plurality of, thin sorting fingers which are arranged side by side in the transverse direction and which are each movable from a sorting position into a transport position and back. Each sorting finger is designed here to leave a partial gap in the conveying plane to which it belongs in the sorting position. As a result, defective products to be sorted, which are fed to the sorting mechanism, can be sorted out by means of a sorting gap which is formed jointly by a plurality of adjacent partial gaps and which is preferably open downwards. Furthermore, each sorting finger is designed to close the partial gap to which it belongs in the transport position, so that good products arriving at the respective sorting finger can be supported from below and transported further in the transport direction.

In order to sort out a defective item, the group of sorting fingers located in the defective track can be moved into the sorting position and held there during the sorting according to the invention, in order thereby to form a sorting gap in its respective track which matches the defective item. Adjacent further sorting fingers can be left in the conveying position in order to form the sorting gap to the extent necessary without being designed to be too large or in order to support and continue to convey adjacent good products from below. In order to be able to individually adapt the sorting gap to the defective products currently to be sorted out, at least three, preferably all, sorting fingers of the sorting mechanism can be moved independently of one another from the sorting position into the transport position and back. It is thereby also possible to simultaneously form or open or close one or more sorting gaps, while one or more other sorting gaps are open or yet to be opened.

In the conveying position, the individual sorting fingers with the respectively topmost conveying section preferably lie in the conveying plane. The conveying section can suitably have a drivable conveyor belt for supporting the products during further conveyance in the conveying direction X and/or for conveying to a conveying surface which is adjoined downstream by sorting fingers. The conveyor belt can have the same speed as the infeed belt, so that good products from the infeed belt can be conveyed further past the top side of the sorting fingers without jerking and delay. Expediently, this speed also corresponds to the speed at which the good products continue to move downstream of the sorting device in the conveying plane with a conveying device (e.g. a discharge belt) possibly arranged there. Instead of one or more conveyor belts (e.g. flat or round belts), other equally suitable members such as chains or belts are also contemplated.

The circulating conveyor belt preferably returns at its bottom side (facing the sorting gap) recessed in the sorting finger recesses. The sorting side (see below) formed by the bottom side can then introduce a defective item into or through the sorting gap, without the conveyor belt (guided in this section opposite to the movement of the defective item) touching or braking the defective item at this time.

According to the invention, different variants are conceivable in order to produce the sorting gap by the movement of the sorting fingers. In one embodiment, the sorting fingers are pivoted or folded with their section or end facing the approaching product, which is located at the rear in the conveying direction, from the conveying position upwards away from the sorting plane to the conveying path of the respective defective product (sorting position). The axis of rotation for this movement is located here in the region of the rear pair of each sorting finger, which is located at the front as seen in the conveying direction, near the end of the products. By turning the sorting fingers upwards, their bottom faces are oriented towards the approaching reject. The bottom surface can serve as a sorting side surface for guiding the defective item downwards through the sorting gap, as long as the defective item has not yet fallen through the gap merely by gravity.

This guiding action can also be enhanced by a driven sorting belt arranged on the sorting side, the portion of which facing the defective product preferably moves at the conveying speed of the infeed belt towards the sorting gap. When the defective item comes into contact with the sorting belt, the defective item is actively pushed into or through the sorting gap, in addition to the guiding action of the upturning of the sorting fingers. In the transport position, the sorting belt should not project into the transport plane here, since it would then move opposite to the transport direction of the input belt on the top side of the sorting fingers. Instead, the sorting belt can be guided there counter to the conveying direction in the recess. Or it is conceivable to (preferably automatically) reverse the direction of movement of the sorting belts when the sorting fingers are rotated, respectively. The sorting belt in the transport position can then also project as a conveyor belt all the way into the transport plane (and be correspondingly driven in the transport direction in this position) in order to continue transporting good products in the transport direction X. And in the sorting position the sorting belts can be driven in the opposite direction to force the reject through the sorting gap in the manner described above. In this variant, the belt, which serves both as a conveyor belt and as a sorting belt, is then fed back without partial sinking into the recess.

The angle of rotation of the sorting fingers between the delivery position and the sorting position is suitably less than 90 °, preferably about 60 °, wherein the angle of rotation is most preferably adjustable.

In the previously described embodiment, the lifting of the sorting fingers from the conveying plane, so to speak towards the approaching product, has the advantage that the sorting fingers have a double function, on the one hand to free the gap and, on the other hand, to actively deflect defective products downwards into the sorting gap via the sorting flanks on the underside of the upwardly folded sorting fingers. This also has the disadvantage that the sorting finger facing the approaching reject is moved for this purpose. When the defective item arrives, the entire sorting finger must therefore already substantially occupy the sorting position, so that the sorting gap is already sufficiently large. If a good product follows a defective product, the sorting fingers must be folded back again into the conveying plane immediately after sorting, in order to be able to pick up the good product in the conveying plane.

An alternative embodiment provides that each sorting finger leaves the partial gap between itself and the downstream adjacent conveying surface by it being folded down from the conveying position to occupy the sorting position. In this variant, the sorting fingers in the sorting position do not project into the defective product transport path, but are folded down out of the sorting plane, wherein the axis of rotation is located in the region of the rear end of each sorting finger, viewed in the transport direction. The gap then opens "in the front direction in the conveying direction" downward.

An advantage of this embodiment is that the individual sorting fingers can still be rotated after the products have reached or rested on the sorting fingers. For example, if a good product is located on a selected sorting finger belonging to its track at the transport position, which is followed by a defective product to be sorted out in the same track, the sorting finger can initially remain at the transport position until the good product is transferred to a sufficient extent (for example with at least half the length or its center) to the transport surface adjoining the sorting finger. Immediately thereafter, the sorting fingers with the defective products placed thereon can be folded down into a sorting position for sorting out the defective products. Good products, for example, which follow defective products in the same track, can first be transported to the sorting fingers which are already folded down to the sorting location. After the defective products are discharged and the good products are placed on the sorting fingers, the sorting fingers can be turned upwards to the conveying position, so that the good products can be conveyed normally.

Particularly advantageously, products whose rails are partially overlapping can also be processed with this embodiment. As long as the center of gravity of the good product is located between the two sorting fingers in the transport position, viewed in the transverse direction, it is possible to transport each good product without sorting. Therefore, good products do not have to be supported across their entire rail width by the sorting fingers. Instead, the sorting fingers that are further out in the good track and at the same time are also located in the subsequent or preceding bad track can be in the sorting position while the good is being transported further. In this way, defective products can also be reliably separated from good products which are arranged next to each other but laterally offset relative to each other.

A further advantage of this embodiment is that the driven conveyor belt on the sorting fingers which support the further transport of good products in the transport position can also be used in the same way for transporting defective products on the downwardly folded sorting fingers to the sorting gap and sorting them. The sorting fingers turned down from the conveying plane do not have the aforementioned problem of the conveyor belt moving against the discharge direction.

Since in the present embodiment the sorting fingers are folded down out of the sorting plane and therefore cannot be folded up into the product conveying path, the sorting fingers cannot fulfill the double function described above (opening of the sorting gap and pressing down of defective products). To supplement this function, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the guide means to be located directly above the sorting means or the conveying plane. The guide means extend in the transverse direction past the infeed belt or the sorting means and comprise at least three, preferably a plurality of guide fingers which are adjacent to one another in the transverse direction Y and which are each movable from a guide position into an open position and back (preferably rotatable).

In the open position, the guide fingers are located outside the transport path of the products, so that they can be transported further in the transport direction X as good products. From the opening position, each guide finger (precisely: a part of each guide finger) can be folded back into the reject transport path (guide position), so that a further transport in the transport direction X is prevented in the event of contact between reject and guide finger. If the defective item reaches the guide side of the guide finger which faces the product in the guide position, it is subjected to a force acting downwards perpendicular to the conveying plane (the vertically acting force can be a component of the force acting on the product obliquely with respect to the conveying plane). The shape or orientation of the guide fingers or their guide flanks in the guide position is selected such that the advancing force generated by the feed belt on the defective product, which force is directed in the conveying direction X, generates a deflecting force which acts on the defective product, directed orthogonally thereto, on the conveying plane. Defective products can then be sorted out by simultaneously forming a sorting gap, which is open in the conveying plane below the guide mechanism and is formed by a plurality of sorting fingers.

The guide fingers have proven to be particularly effective at high speed transport. That is, the component of the velocity of the reject in the conveying direction X during dropping or falling through the sorting gap is so large that the reject may fall sufficiently deep before the end of the gap. However, in addition to the force of gravity, the guide fingers also actively deflect the defective product downward, thereby accelerating the downward movement through the sorting gap. Furthermore, the guide fingers form a stop for the rear end of the abruptly stopped defective part, which is tilted upward, and in this case the defective part is very quickly transferred into an almost vertical position and very quickly plunges downward into the sorting gap.

Like the sorting fingers, the guide fingers can also be moved or rotated (advantageously independently of one another) from the guide position into the open position and back. Accordingly, from a large number of guide fingers, guide fingers can be selected in a targeted manner which are located in the track of the defective item to be sorted and act on it from above, while the other guide fingers remain in the open position. In this case, it is not necessary to pivot all guide fingers arranged in the defective rail into the guide position. Depending on the product and the conveying speed, fewer or even only one guide finger may be sufficient for this purpose. This has the advantage that the guide fingers which are located in the defective rail and at the same time in the defective rail immediately preceding or following it can, but do not have to, maintain their open position, as long as at least one guide finger can be in the guide position in the defective rail. In practice, it may be preferable to center the reject approximately with respect to its track width or to deflect it in the region of its center of gravity with one or more guide fingers, while the other guide fingers in the reject track remain in the open position. For example, also to save compressed air or to reduce operating noise, it is possible to move only the innermost or outermost two guide fingers in a track.

However, it is also possible to rotate all guide fingers into the guide position along the entire width of the reject rail or the sorting gap in order to exert a downward force on the products to be sorted over their entire width. It is even conceivable to rotate the guide fingers laterally adjacent to the sorting gap into the guiding position (as long as the guide fingers do not penetrate the conveying plane or collide with the non-rotated sorting fingers on the other side of the sorting gap).

Similarly to the sorting fingers, the guide fingers can also have a driven guide belt in their guide side region, which supports or accelerates the downward movement of the products falling through the sorting gap. The angle of rotation of the guide finger between the guide position and the open position is advantageously less than 90 °, preferably about 60 °, wherein the angle of rotation is most preferably adjustable. The axes of rotation of the sorting fingers are also suitably oriented in the transverse direction Y, like the axes of rotation of the guide fingers, so that the two axes extend parallel to each other. In addition, the sorting fingers and the guide fingers can each be selected to have the same width and/or be arranged in the same position in the transverse direction Y, so that they are arranged opposite one another in the height direction Z. This may simplify the structure and control of the device.

If the sorting fingers and/or guide fingers are equipped with a driven belt, it is sometimes structurally difficult to design the axis of rotation as a drive axis for the belt. The axes of rotation and of drive of the sorting fingers and of the guide fingers are therefore preferably designed in the manner of patent application DE 102019127189, the disclosure of which is to be incorporated herein and the axes of rotation and of drive of the sorting mechanism are spaced apart from one another according to the teaching thereof.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the individual sorting fingers and the individual guide fingers can each have the same width and/or respectively face each other in pairs in the height direction and/or lie next to each other in the transverse direction, preferably over the entire Y width of the feed belt (K).

The number and lateral width of the sorting or guide fingers depend on the number of possible tracks defined by the products on the input belt. The more sorting fingers and at the same time the smaller the transverse width of each individual sorting finger, the more precisely the sorting process can be matched to the individual product track, since the transverse width of the sorting gap can become closer and closer to the actual track width of the associated reject as the sorting fingers increase. In principle, this consideration also applies to guide fingers, where, as already mentioned, not all guide fingers of a track have to be actuated for deflection, so that their total number can also be selected to be smaller compared to the number of sorting fingers. The guide means preferably extend over the entire width of the feed belt with their guide fingers arranged next to one another in the transverse direction Y. The greater width of the individual guide fingers allows for a smaller overall number thereof as compared to sorting fingers.

The number of sorting fingers is preferably greater than 5, most preferably greater than 15. The sorting fingers are so thin that they are sufficiently thin that they can be arranged side by side in correspondence with the fine grid ("thin" is understood here in relation to the extension of the sorting fingers in the conveying direction X, which is preferably at least 5-10 times the width of the sorting fingers). The preferred width of the individual sorting fingers here is in the range between 2mm and 30mm, most preferably between 10mm and 20 mm. With these dimensions, sorting gaps can be formed at sufficiently different transverse positions and with sufficiently different widths.

In order to be able to sort defective products from a product stream by means of the sorting machine according to the invention, it is necessary to know the track in order to be able to operate a sorting finger which is located in the track and whose associated part gaps together form a sorting gap which is wide enough for the products arriving at the sorting gap to be sorted there. The specification describing the track can be supplied to the sorting machine of the invention from an external control unit providing the corresponding data. However, an advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for its own detection device, by means of which the tracks of products, and in particular rejects, on the input belt can be detected (strictly speaking, it is not necessary to detect the tracks on the input belt, it is sufficient that the tracks are already detected upstream of the input belt and do not subsequently change). Product track may be described by

a) Its lateral position, e.g. the central position of the track with respect to the lateral direction Y, and

b) the track width is determined by the width of the respective product.

The detection device can be designed to detect the track of a product identified as defective by means of a detector, in particular a camera with suitable image processing software, which evaluates the camera data and thus determines the transverse position and width of the product in the transverse direction Y. It is also conceivable to determine whether a product is defective or non-defective by means of image evaluation. In this case, for example, product size, a certain product color, a marking arranged on the product, a distance to an adjacent product or other optically measurable characteristic may be considered as criteria.

The inspection apparatus can determine a good track in addition to a defective track. This may be appropriate when the actuation of the sorting fingers or guide fingers is premised on knowing how close the good product is to the bad product.

In order to operate the sorting fingers at the correct moment, it is also necessary to determine that a reject reaches the sorting fingers. This can be done, for example, by knowing the instantaneous longitudinal position X of the product upstream of the sorting fingers_PAnd the transport speed of the input belt. The camera-assisted detection device for determining the track can be designed to detect the instantaneous longitudinal position X_P. Alternatively, for example, sensors, in particular light barriers or proximity sensors, can also be used, which are preferably arranged immediately upstream of the sorting or guide fingers. The data formed by the detection means can be fed to a control unit of the sorting machine. The control unit is preferably also designed for exchanging data with other data processing devices and high-level controllers, for storing data in a memory, for reading out product data or process data stored in a memory, for controlling individual components of the sorting machine, and for creating data.

The method according to the invention for sorting products from a transport stream using the above-mentioned sorting machine comprises at least the following steps:

1. determining a track of the inferior goods conveyed on the input belt;

2. determining a sorting finger group positioned in the track;

3. the group of sorting fingers is moved from the delivery position to a sorting position to form a sorting gap and a defective item is sorted through the sorting gap.

The determination of the track and of the group of sorting fingers located in the track can be repeated or carried out over a long period of time for all products, in particular all defective products, on the input belt according to the method described above, preferably before they reach the sorting fingers of the sorting device or the guide fingers of the guide device. This can be used to check or correct previous calculations and ensure correct selection of the fingers and on-time operation.

If the sorting machine also comprises guide fingers, the inventive method may also comprise selecting and controlling a set of guide fingers, for example, which are located within the reject track with respect to the transverse direction Y.

The sorting fingers and the guide fingers, which are considered for sorting out defective items, can be controlled independently of one another in time, in particular according to different time sequences. Thus, the sorting fingers can be turned to the sorting position or back to the transport position before, during or after the selected guide fingers are transferred to the guide position or the opening position. Although the sorting fingers in a track are preferably all operated simultaneously for the respective rejects, this is not necessarily the case and can also be carried out in succession depending on the product and process parameters. The same applies analogously to the guide fingers. According to the invention, the rotation of the sorting fingers from the conveying position to the sorting position and back and the rotation of the guide fingers from the opening position to the guide position and back can be controlled very quickly and flexibly. The sorting or guide fingers are preferably controlled in a time-controlled or time-optimized manner so as to be in their desired position in time and preferably remain there until a rotation to the respective other position is required, depending on the approaching good or defective.

The control is preferably such that the sorting fingers and the guide fingers are simultaneously in the sorting position or in the guide position at one time or within a selectable time period. The sorting machine is also preferably designed such that the sorting fingers in the sorting position are arranged parallel to the guide fingers in the guide position and/or the sorting fingers in the transport position are arranged parallel to the guide fingers in the open position in order to form a passage for defective or good products, respectively.

The sorting or guide fingers are preferably pneumatically drivable, each finger having a separately formed piston-cylinder unit. Each individual finger may be connected to a dispenser by a suitable flexible compressed air hose, the dispenser applying compressed air to the respective hose by actuating a valve according to the desired rotational movement. In an advantageous embodiment, since there are a large number of sorting fingers, valve slide rails are provided which are common for all sorting fingers. The slide extends across the entire width of the input belt. Depending on the number of sorting fingers, a plurality of individual piston-cylinder units are formed in the slide, wherein for each piston-cylinder unit one or more valves associated therewith are also arranged directly in the slide. Thus, only one compressed air supply line to the slide rail is required, which can be used jointly for all valves. The distribution of compressed air to the individual cylinders can take place via rigid channels extending in the transverse direction Y within the slide rail, whereby a large number of individual supply lines can be saved. Preferably, one controllable solenoid valve is provided for each finger. Likewise, a slide rail for the guide finger can also be provided.

The sorting or guiding fingers can also be moved to intermediate positions between the delivery position and the sorting position or between the opening position and the guiding position, if desired. Preferably, all the fingers can also be moved between the respective rotational positions, optionally abruptly or with a delay or steplessly or at a controllable speed, depending on the drive.

Drawings

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples, in which:

fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention in a partial view, with sorting fingers in a conveying position;

fig. 2 shows the view according to fig. 1, with sorting fingers in the sorting position;

FIG. 3 shows a view similar to FIG. 2, with sorting fingers having sorting belts thereon;

FIG. 4 shows a simplified side view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having guide fingers;

fig. 5 shows the view according to fig. 4, with the guide fingers and the sorting fingers turned down;

figure 6 shows a simplified perspective view of a sorting machine with sorting fingers and guide fingers.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sorting machine a according to the invention in a simplified side view. Sorter A conveys individual products P in a conveying flow in a conveying direction X_a、P_w. Here, the products are fed from the input belt K to the sorting mechanism S. Defective products P to be sorted out from the transport stream_aGood products P to be conveyed further are discharged through a sorting gap U formed by the sorting mechanism_wThe transport is continued in the transport direction X in the transport plane E to the transport plane F adjacent to the sorting mechanism S. Each product defines a respective track by its transverse Y position and its width, along which the product is transported in the transport direction X on an input belt KFeeding (the illustrations in fig. 1-5 are side views looking in the transverse direction Y, so the product track cannot be seen in these illustrations). The top side of the feed belt K and the conveying surface F lie in a conveying plane E which extends in the conveying direction X and a transverse direction Y which is transverse thereto and extends horizontally. The height direction Z extends orthogonal to the two directions X, Y.

The feeding belt K and the conveying surface F are spaced apart from each other by a gap in the conveying direction X. A sorting mechanism S is arranged in this gap. The sorting mechanism S comprises a plurality of thin sorting fingers S arranged next to each other (and preferably aligned) in the transverse direction₁、S₂、S₃.., only one of which is visible in the side view of fig. 1-5₁Which blocks other sorting fingers S₂、S₃.... Sorting finger S₁、S₂、S₃.., can be arranged about a same sorting axis J extending in the transverse direction Y_SA rotation, wherein each sorting finger can be rotated about a sorting axis J independently of the other sorting fingers_SFrom sorting location S_TRotated to a delivery position S_FAnd back. The rotary movement can be effected for each individual sorting finger S by means of a piston-cylinder unit, not shown in detail, or other drive means known to the skilled person₁、S₂、S₃...

FIG. 1 shows in a transport position S_FSorting finger S₁Wherein each sorting finger S₁、S₂、S₃.., the uppermost section of the conveying position is located in the conveying plane E, so that the good products P conveyed by the feeding belt K_wSupported on the top side of the sorting fingers, can be transported further in the transport direction X to the transport plane F. The conveying surface F can also be designed as a discharge conveyor belt (discharge belt). At the transport position S_FEach sorting finger closing the respectively associated sorting axis J_SAnd the part of the gap U between the input belt K upstream thereof₁、U₂、U₃.., wherein each partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.., the Y widths respectively correspond to the sorting fingers S₁、S₂、S₃...

The upper belt portion of the driven conveyor belt, which is not shown in fig. 1 and 2, can be arranged on the top side of the sorting fingers in order to support the further transport of good products toward the conveying surface F. The conveyor speed is preferably selected to be the same as the transport speed of the input belt K and possibly of the output belt downstream of the sorting mechanism.

Fig. 2 shows a sorting machine a according to fig. 1, in which a sorting finger S₁From the delivery position S by one section_FTurned upwards to a sorting position S_T(proximate sorting finger S)₁Several other sorting fingers S₂、S₃.., is also rotated to a sorting position, which cannot be seen in this view. Other non-rotating sorting fingers are not shown in the transport position for a better overview). Each sorting finger segment rotated into the sorting position projects with one sorting side M upwardly through the conveying plane E. At the same time, each sorting finger S₁、S₂、S₃.., opening a partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.., wherein a plurality of partial gaps U are adjacent to each other₁、U₂、U₃.., together form a sorting gap U for discharging defective products P downwardly through the sorting gap U_a. In order to remove defective products P from the product stream_aRotating sorting fingers located in the rails of respective defective products to a sorting position S_T. The other sorting fingers adjacent to it in the transverse direction Y outside the track can maintain the transport position S_FSo as to also enable good products P in their respective tracks_wAnd continues to the conveying surface F.

Defective products P facing toward the approach in the sorting position_aOn the one hand, for opening the respective partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.... Furthermore, it exerts on contact a deflecting force component directed perpendicularly to the conveying plane E on the approaching reject, to force the reject out of the conveying direction X and down through the sorting gap U. To increase this effect, the variant shown in simplified form in fig. 3 provides for this purpose a lower belt portion of the driven sorting belt R on the sorting side M of the sorting fingers. The sorting belt R is driven in the direction of the small arrow to actively push the defective products P contacting the sorting belt_aDown through the sorting gap.

The embodiment according to fig. 1 to 3 is characterized in that the sorting fingers for sorting are moved in sections from the transport position S_FTurning up and turning over to defective products P_aIn the conveying path or track of, respectively, so that the respective partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.., and the co-formed sorting gap U "opens to the product". The upwardly projecting parts of the sorting fingers can here fulfill a double function, namely, on the one hand, the opening of the respective partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.., on the other hand, to block defective products P_aToward the conveying path of the conveying face F to divert defective products. In this case, the sorting axis J_SDownstream of the part-or sorting gap U with respect to the conveying direction X.

An alternative embodiment of a sorting machine according to the invention is shown in figures 4 and 5. There, similarly to the exemplary embodiment, there are a plurality of sorting fingers S₁、S₂、S₃.., is arranged in the space existing between the input belt K and the conveying surface F. The sorting fingers can in turn be pivoted about a common sorting axis J extending in the transverse direction Y_SFrom the delivery position S_FRotated to a sorting position S_TAnd back and they are in the transport position S_FThe uppermost section is now located in the conveying plane E. The sorting fingers are here folded down out of the conveying plane E into a sorting position S_TAs shown in fig. 5. In contrast to the previous embodiment, each sorting finger S₁、S₂、S₃.., respectively partial gap U₁、U₂、U₃.., here in the sorting axis J with respect to the conveying direction X_SThe downstream is open. An advantage of this embodiment is that the sorting fingers can still be rotated when good or defective products have reached or rested on the sorting fingers. This increases the flexibility of the sorting finger control and allows better targeted sorting out or further conveying of products that are located close to each other in the conveying direction X or the transverse direction Y. However, unlike the exemplary embodiment of fig. 1 to 3, the sorting fingers cannot be used simultaneously to actively deflect defective products. Instead, only gravity acts on the defective products moved into the sorting gap for sorting. At the end of the arrival of the sorting gap under high-speed conveyanceBefore the end, the defective product may therefore not fall deep enough to hit the conveyor face F that it meets.

In order to overcome this drawback, the sorting machine is equipped with a guide L arranged above the conveying plane E. Similar to the sorting mechanism, the guide mechanism L comprises a plurality of thin guide fingers L₁、L₂、L₃.., the guide fingers are also arranged one after the other in the transverse direction Y (preferably aligned) and can be pivoted about the same guide axis J extending in the transverse direction Y_LAnd (4) rotating. The guide fingers can be rotated independently of one another, for example by means of a piston-cylinder unit or a drive having the same action. At the on position L_FGuide finger L₁、L₂、L₃.., located outside the conveying path of the product, and is particularly good product P_wCan be fed to the conveying surface F passing under the guide fingers. And in the guide position L_LThe guide finger projects with a guide side B into the product track, so that it is inhibited from being conveyed further to the conveying surface F. (FIGS. 4 and 5 show only the first guide finger L₁. The further guidance in the transverse direction Y in the open position or the guidance position indicates that it cannot be seen or is not shown for the sake of overview. )

Guide finger L₁、L₂、L₃.., can be used to actively guide defective products P_aThrough a sorting gap U formed by sorting fingers S in the respective track in the sorting position₁、S₂、S₃... The sorting side M of the sorting fingers, similar to the embodiment of fig. 1-3, is turned down into the guide position L_LThe guide fingers of (2) generate a component of the deflecting force acting perpendicularly to the conveying plane downwards on the defective product when the defective product reaches the deflecting side face B of the respective guide finger.

Fig. 5 illustrates this situation. Defective product P to be sorted_aShould pass through a plurality of adjacent sorting fingers S₁、S₂、S₃.., the jointly formed sorting gap U is discharged. For this purpose, the defective part P is located_aIs turned down to a sorting position S_T. In addition, several guide fingers L are located in the defective rail₁、L₂、L₃.., has been opened fromPosition L_FTurned down to the guide position L_L. The downwardly folded guide fingers and the sorting fingers together form a channel which runs through the sorting gap U. Defective P arriving at the sorting gap U_aBy contact with the guide side B, plus the effect of gravity on the products, are fed into and through the sorting gap U and are sorted out. The movement of the sorting fingers and the guide fingers can be carried out simultaneously or in time-staggered manner, preferably depending on the conveying speed, the product size or other physical product characteristics and the arrangement of other products (good and bad) on the input belt K.

Single guide finger L₁、L₂、L₃... the number, lateral position and width of the fingers do not have to be the same as the fingers S alone₁、S₂、S₃.., the number, lateral position and width are consistent. The number of guide fingers is preferably smaller than the number of sorting fingers, since not all guide fingers in the product track have to be rotated into the guiding position to deflect a product.

Fig. 6 shows the embodiment according to fig. 4 and 5 in a simplified perspective view. On the input belt K, good products P to be conveyed continuously_wAnd a defective product P to be discharged_aIs sent to the sorting mechanism S in the conveying direction X. Each product defines its own track here. Having a transverse width W measured in the transverse direction Y_aTo be sorted out of the product P_aOn its associated track T_aIs transported. The position of each product passing through its transverse position Y_PAnd longitudinal position X_PIs determined, for example, with respect to the center of gravity or center of the product relative to a fixed reference point. By means of the camera as detection device D, for each product to be sorted out or to be conveyed further, its current position and/or the associated track on the input belt can be determined in a one-time or repeated manner. Product P to be sorted_aTrack T_aIndicated in fig. 6 and determined by its position and width, the tracks of the other two products are not shown in more detail for the sake of overview.

To discharge the product P from the product flow_aGroup G_SSorting fingers (here sorting fingers S)₃To S₈) From the delivery position S_FIs turned down to the sorting position S_TTo thereby form a product P_aForming a sorting gap U in the conveying path. All other sorting fingers being in the conveying position S_FWithout change, in which there are sorting fingers S with one side of the sorting gap U₁And S₂Group G of_SAnd other groups not shown in detail with sorting fingers on the other side of the sorting gap.

For the purpose of facilitating the discharge, the products P are guided in a guide L above the sorting mechanism S with 16 guide fingers_aTrack T_aInner guide finger L₄And L₅Group G of_LFrom the open position L_FIs turned over downwards to a guide position L_L. Reach the guide finger L₄、L₅Product P of_aGuided finger L₄、L₅A downward component of the deflection force is exerted, so that the product is also actively pushed through the sorting gap U in addition to the force of gravity. During this time, the conveying position S can be remained_FThe sorting means that other good products P which are not discharged are sorted_wFurther to a transport surface F in the form of an output belt. Accordingly, the unnecessary guide finger is in the on position L_F(in the case shown they are with a guide finger L₁To L₃And L₆To L₁₆Group G of_L). Products P not being sorted_aAll guide fingers in the track have to be turned down to the guide position L_L. Depending on the product properties and the conveying speed, it may be sufficient to use only one or two guide fingers. They can be, for example, two middle guide fingers or two outer guide fingers of the associated track. The operation of the guide fingers can also be completely superfluous if the product should be reliably discharged by gravity alone. As soon as the product to be discharged passes through the sorting gap U, the fingers actuated for this purpose can again be tilted up into the open position or the delivery position, unless the immediately following product to be discharged indicates that it is reasonable to maintain the previous finger position.

The sorting machine is provided with a conveyor belt R, the upper belt segment of which is moved in the conveying direction X at a speed set by an input belt K and an output belt F so as to be able to move in a conveying positionPut S_FOr at sorting location S_TContinuously conveying the good products P placed thereon as much as possible without delay_w。

The control unit H, which is only shown in a simplified manner, serves to determine the track T of the product to be sorted, while evaluating the camera signals_aAnd its longitudinal position X_PIn order to control the appropriate sorting and guiding fingers at the appropriate time. The control unit may also process or generate signals relating to the conveying speed, product characteristics, number of discharges, etc. and output or receive signals via a suitable interface.

Reference numerals

A sorting machine

B guide side

D detection device

E conveying plane

F conveying surface

G_LGuide finger set

G_SSorting finger group

H control unit

J_LGuide axis

J_SSorting axis

K input belt

L guiding mechanism

L₁,L₂,L₃.. guiding finger

L_FOpen position

L_LGuiding position

M side of sorting

P_aDefective products to be sorted

P_wGood products to be conveyed continuously

R conveyer belt

S sorting mechanism

S₁,S₂,S₃.. sorting finger

S_FDelivery location

S_TSorting location

T_aRail for products to be sorted

U sorting gap

U₁,U₂,U₃.. partial gap

W_aWidth of products to be sorted in transverse direction Y

X conveying direction

X_PLongitudinal position of the product

Y transverse direction

Y_PTransverse position of the product

Direction of Z height

Claims

1. A sorting machine (A) for sorting out singulated products from a product stream,

wherein the product stream contains rejects (P) to be sorted_a) And good products (P) for further conveyance_w) And is and

wherein the product (P)_a,P_w) In particular with non-uniform geometry and/or mutual spacing and is conveyed by means of an infeed belt (K) in a conveying direction (X) extending orthogonally to the transverse direction (Y),

a) wherein each defective item (P)_a) The position of the track (T) on the input belt defines the track (T) to which the track belongs_a) Which is transported along the track in a transport direction (X), wherein the track (T) is provided with a guide rail (T)_a) The position in the transverse direction (Y) and the track width thereof are determined by the defective product (P)_a) Transverse position (Y)_a) And product width (W)_a) The process of defining the composite material is carried out,

b) and wherein the top side of the feed belt (K) defines a transport plane (E) with the transport direction (X) and a transverse direction (Y) extending orthogonally thereto,

c) and wherein the sorting machine (A) comprises at least three, preferably a plurality of, preferably identically constructed, subdivided sorting fingers (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) arranged side by side, preferably aligned, in the transverse direction (Y) and each able to be moved from a sorting position (S)_T) Moved to a conveying position (S)_F) And back, and wherein each sorting finger (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) is designed to:

c1) at the sorting position (S)_T) In aThe inside of the conveying plane (E) is provided with corresponding sorting fingers (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) partial gap (U)₁,U₂,U₃...) to be passed through a plurality of adjacent partial gaps (U) in the transport direction (X)₁,U₂,U₃...) to separate defective products (P) fed to the sorting device (S) in the form of a jointly formed sorting gap (U)_a) And is and

c2) at the conveying position (S)_F) Closing said respective partial gap (U)₁,U₂,U₃...) in order to be able to continue conveying good products (P) in the conveying plane (E)_w)，

d) Wherein the sorter is designed to be located in a reject (P)_a) Track (T)_a) Sorting finger (S) in (1)₁,S₂,S₃...) to the sorting position (S)_T) And is held there in order to thus locate the defective part on its own track (T)_a) In the presence of a catalyst suitable for the defective product (P)_a) A sorting gap (U) of (A),

e) and wherein at least three, preferably all, sorting fingers (S) of the sorting mechanism (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) can be moved from the sorting position (S) independently of one another_T) Is moved to the conveying position (S)_F) And returning.

2. Sorting machine (A) according to claim 1, characterised in that in the delivery position (S)_F) Each sorting finger (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) with the uppermost conveying part lying in the conveying plane (E) in order to support and/or convey the good products (P) while continuing the conveyance in the conveying direction (X)_w) Preferably, the uppermost transport section has a drivable conveyor belt.

3. Sorting machine (A) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each sorting finger (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) is set free of an associated partial gap (U) between itself and the upstream feed belt (K) in the following manner₁,U₂,U₃...), namely: what is needed isThe sorting fingers being arranged to occupy the sorting position (S)_T) From the delivery position (S)_F) Turned up in one section.

4. Sorting machine (A) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that in the sorting position (S)_T) Each sorting finger (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) to face the defective product (P)_a) Protrudes from the conveying plane (E) so as to pass through said partial gap (U) and away from the conveying direction (X) when contacting the sorting side (M)₁,U₂,U₃...) is deflected downward, the defective part (P) is deflected downward_a) Preferably, said sorting side comprises a drivable sorting belt.

5. Sorting machine (A) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that each sorting finger (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) is set free between itself and the downstream adjacent conveying surface (F) in such a way that the partial gap (U) is left free₁,U₂,U₃...), i.e. the sorting fingers are moved from the conveying position in one section (S)_F) Turned downwards to occupy the sorting position (S)_T)。

6. Sorting machine (A) according to claim 5, further comprising at least three, preferably a plurality of, preferably structurally identical guide fingers (L) located above the sorting mechanism (S) or the conveying plane (E)₁,L₂,L₃...) which are arranged side by side in the transverse direction (Y) in a preferably aligned manner and which can each be moved from a guide position (L)_L) Move to the on position (L)_F) And back, wherein each guide finger (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) is designed to:

a) in the guide position (L)_L) Defective products (P)_a) Receiving forces acting perpendicular to the transport plane (E) and guiding the defective product into a group (G)_S) A plurality of sorting fingers (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) and a sorting gap (U) formed by the first and second conveying belts

b) At the position ofOpen position (L)_F) Opened for good products (P)_w) The conveying path of (1).

7. Sorting machine (A) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that at least two, preferably all, guide fingers (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) can each be moved independently of one another from the guide position (L)_L) Move to the open position (L)_F) And returning.

8. Sorting machine (A) according to claim 6 or 7, characterised in that in the guiding position (L)_L) Each guide finger (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) has a face to the defective product (P)_a) And preferably comprises a guide side (B) of the drivable guide belt to leave the conveying direction (X) and to pass through the partial gap (U) when contacting the guide side (B)₁,U₂,U₃...) to guide and/or convey the defective product (P)_a)。

9. Sorting machine (A) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sorting fingers (S)₁,S₂,S₃...) for being at the sorting location (S)_T) And a transport position (S)_F) Can be rotated about one, preferably the same, pivot axis extending in the transverse direction (Y), and/or the guide finger (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) to be in the guiding position (L)_L) And an on position (L)_F) Can be rotated about one and preferably the same pivot axis extending in the transverse direction (Y).

10. Sorting machine (A) according to any one of claims 6 to 9, designed to comprise one or more guide fingers (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) of a group (G)_L) The guide finger moves to the guide position (L)_L) And held there, wherein the group (G)_L) The guide fingers are preferably located within the sorting gap (U) in relation to the transverse direction (Y).

11. Sorting machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a detection device (D) is provided, by means of which a defective item (P) on the input belt (K) can be detected_a) Track (T)_a) And longitudinal position (X)_P) So as to be able to operate the sorting fingers (S) as follows₁,S₂,S₃...) which are located on the track (T)_a) And the partial gap (L) to which it belongs₁,L₂,L₃...) together form a reject (P) wide enough to be sorted there into a sorting gap (U)_a) Of the sorting gap (U).

12. A method of sorting out rejects (P) from a transport stream by means of a sorter (A) according to one of the preceding claims_a) The method comprises the following steps:

1. determining the defective products (P) to be sorted conveyed on the input belt (K)_a) Track (T)_a)，

2. Is determined to be located on the track (T)_a) Sorting finger (S) in (1)₁,S₂,S₃...) of group (G)_S)，

3. Will be the group (G)_S) Sorting is from the delivery location (S)_F) Move to the sorting position (S)_T) To form a sorting gap (U) and to sort the defective product (P) through the sorting gap (U)_a)。

13. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the track (T)_a) Is determined by means of at least one detector, preferably by means of a camera with an associated image recognition method, which detects defective products (P) on the input strip (K)_a) Width (W) of_a) And/or lateral position (Y)_a)。

14. Method according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the reject (P)_a) And/or its longitudinal position (X) on the input belt (K)_P) Is determined to do so

a) By means of cameras and image recognition methods, or

b) Evaluating the operating data of the input strip (K),

to determine the defective product (P)_a) The time of the sorting gap (U) is reached.

15. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 14 for sorting rejects (P) from a transport stream using a sorter (a) according to one of claims 6 to 11_a) The method comprises the following steps: selecting a group (G)_L) Guide finger (L)₁,L₂,L₃...) which are preferably located on the track (T) in relation to the transverse direction (Y)_a) And the guide fingers are moved from the open position (L)_F) Move to the guide position (L)_L) So that the group (G) is at a certain moment or within a selectable time period_S) Sorting fingers and the group (G)_L) The guide fingers are simultaneously in the sorting position (S)_T) Or the guide position (L)_L)。

16. Method according to any one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that all rejects (P) to be sorted that are conveyed on the conveyor belt (K) are sorted_a) Said track (T)_a) Is determined or verified in a once-for-every-product manner or in a periodically repeated manner or in a long-term manner.